The remarkable discovery that our thoughts are powerful

“You are what you eat” is an expression that has been around for as long as I can remember. It is commonly used by health advocates and almost anyone in the medical field. It’s a sound analogy of how unhealthy eating can make a person unhealthy as well. Just like this health-conscious reminder, “We become what we think of,” is also a popular derivation concerning how our thoughts shape who we would become.

William James, a philosopher, psychologist, and physician, is considered by most as the father of American psychology. He was one of the leaders of pragmatism, a philosophical movement centering on how thought influences emotions, actions, and problem-solving. William James’s studies on consciousness, the power of thought, habit, and self are among the most important contributions to philosophy and psychology. He left one powerful thought for everyone when he was still exploring the vastness of humanity. He once said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”

This quote says a lot about how powerful our thoughts are. External factors to stress are everywhere; most of the time, they are inevitable. While most people think that stress destroys lives, it’s not always the case. Stress is always there, it is how one moves past it that matters. A person may not be capable of controlling nature and other people, but he or she is the most effective master of his or her own mind. The person decides whether he or she is an optimist or a pessimist.

When we think solely of the negative, closing our eyes on the bright side, we navigate our daily lives in darkness. We become dull and uninspired. However, when we opt to fuel our days with powerful thoughts, affirmation, and positivity, we become eager to explore and break our walls. Consequently, we let opportunities flow, we give our self the chance to become better, we mold ourselves into the person we want to be.

William James is only one of the great thinkers to propose that our thoughts are powerful. Harness your innermost potential by having powerful thoughts on life. Problems come and go; what remains after that is what we have to make the most out of.

How have your thoughts shaped your life? Share some of your positive thinking in the comments section, or tweet me, @DonnyIngram5. You can also check out my Facebook page as well as Goodreads account. Check out my book, Daily Thoughts for Success.

References

Brainy Quote. “William James Quotes.” Accessed September 12, 2017. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamjam385478.html.

James, William. 1892. Awaken. “The Stream of Consciousness.” Accessed September 12, 2017. http://www.awaken.com/2013/07/the-stream-of-consciousness/.

Kallen, Horace. Encyclopedia Britannica. “William James.” Accessed September 12, 2017. https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-James.